Nem Moccu Birn

Nem Moccu Birn, Abbot of Aran, died 14 June 654.

Biography

Nem was one of the few known successors of Enda of Aran, and appears to be the first such abbot listed in the Irish annals after Enda himself.

The word moccu is actually a contracted form of "mac Ua Birn", indicating that St. Nem was a descendant of Loegaire Birn Buadach, and early king of Ossory and thus a scion of the Dál Birn lineage of Ossory. In the Félire Óengusso, he is recorded as being a relation of St. Ciarán of Saigir.

Annalistic references

From the Annals of the Four Masters:

• M654.2. St Nem Mac Ua Birn, successor of Enne, of Ara, died on the 14th of June.

From the Félire Óengusso ("The Martyrology of Óengus"):

• "14. Nem, i.e. a pope who is in Aran, and he is a successor of Enda of Aran, and of the Dál Birn of Ossory he is, and a brother of Ciarán of Saiger.

Nem great-grandson of Bern. He was called by three names, to wit, Nem and Pupu and Cáilbe. Nem primum nomen etc. Whence Senan of Inis Cathaig sang Abbas almus amabilis etc.

A successor of Peter and Paul, Cailbe came from the east from Rome, Nem, great-grandson of Bern, a bright brother, whose name is Pupu of Aran."